Transkaryotic Therapies

Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT) was a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of treatments for rare genetic diseases, particularly lysosomal storage disorders. The company was a pioneer in using its proprietary "gene activation" technology, which enabled the production of human proteins by activating endogenous genes rather than using traditional recombinant DNA methods. TKT successfully commercialized Replagal for Fabry disease in international markets and developed Elaprase for Hunter syndrome. In 2005, the company was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals for approximately $1.6 billion, serving as the foundation for Shire's Human Genetic Therapies division.